HYDERABAD: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa) Sindh chapter in Jamshoro has decided to boycott academic activities in universities on Aug 31 across Sindh in line with Aug 11 decision of the federation’s meeting held in Karachi.

The decision was taken at an urgent meeting of the federation’s Sindh chapter held on Thursday in Mehran Univer­sity of Engineering and Technology (Muet) under chairmanship of Dr Shahnawaz Talpur, federation president.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Talpur and general secretary Dr Shakeel Faroo­qui said the step-motherly treatment of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Sindh government had brought universities on the verge of destruction.

They said political appointments in the HEC had paralysed academic and research activities. Research had come to an end in Sindh and universities were dealing with the government for petty issues, they added.

They mentioned that the appointment of director finance in Sindh University and leave encashment for teachers and officers were some issues confronting Fapuasa. They said teachers in universities of Sindh were being discriminated against.

The association leaders said leave encashment were given to teachers and officers in public sector universities of Sindh except for those working in Karachi University.

Criticising Sindh government policies, they said appointments were being made on posts like pro-vice chancellor, registrar, controller of examination, director finance without recommendations of universities’ constitutional forums.

They rejec­ted such appointments. They warn­ed the government that such steps would lead to unrest among teachers.

They regretted that although Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appeared quite active, but he had not taken any positive step regarding higher education and universities.

They said the federation was striving to improve rankings of the universities of Sindh among the public sector varsities of Pakistan, but the Sindh government and Higher Education Commission were complicating issues through mismanagement and hindrances in provision of financial resources. They called for a teachers’ housing scheme on the pattern of those for judges, army personnel and journalists.

JSMM protest against CPEC

A group of activists belonging to the proscribed Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) on Thursday held a demonstration outside the Kotri Press Club against the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). They left the venue and the area immediately after the demonstration.

Later, a JSMM press release emailed to Dawn claimed that its activists held protests against CPEC in different districts of Sindh and several of them, including Farman Ali, Yasmin Mallah, Zohaib Sindh, Nazir Bughio, Governor Jatoi, Mairaj Magsi and Sarmad Magsi were arrested. It said that the house of its leader, Hafiz Pirzado, was again raided by police.

It said that under the CPEC mega projects like Bahria Town were planned to settle eight million outsiders in Sindh. Zulfiqarabad project, it added, was also designed to settle another 10 million non-Sindhis.

Chandio directs LUH administration to improve services

Adviser to Sindh chief minister on information Maula Bux Chandio said on Thursday that it was the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) manifesto to ensure proper health and quality education facilities to people of the country and the Sindh government kept working on it while releasing funds for public welfare.

Mr Chandio paid a surprise visit to Liaquat University Hospital (LUH) Hyderabad known as civil hospital. He also met patients in various departments of the hospital.

He directed LUH Medical Superinten­dent (MS) Wajid Memon to ensure maximum medical facilities to all patients. He asked the hospital administration to improve more.

While meeting with delegations headed by Pakistan Awami Muslim League leader Dr Riaz Rind and PML-Functional leader Badar Mangrio at his own residence in Hyderabad, Mr Chandio said it was only the PPP which always served the nation, therefore political activists of various parties wished to join the party.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2016